B6 S4 xenons aren't that bright and sharp

[ASpec818]

i'm wondering is it just my headlights or is the beam pattern and output similar for all b6 s4's. The cutoff is not sharp and the output is not bright at all. It's a big difference coming from a honda s2000. (given that the s2000 do have one of the best xenon systems on the road). has anybody else noticed this?

[dbc112]

I have a b6 S4 and the front headlights are very adequate... as good if not better than most.

Dumb Q, do you have fog on your headlight covers (common issue)?

[nimski62]

I do agree that they are not as bright and sharp and blueish as an Acura TL or BMW.

[diagnosticator]

i'm wondering is it just my headlights or is the beam pattern and output similar for all b6 s4's. The cutoff is not sharp and the output is not bright at all. It's a big difference coming from a honda s2000. (given that the s2000 do have one of the best xenon systems on the road). has anybody else noticed this?

Yep, this is why I went back to single lowbeam xenons. Currently, I'm running B5 S4 D2S projectors with the clear lenses, in my B6 housings.

[Stampy]

Yeah, Audi lights are pretty weak sauce. If you are used to S2K, you are used to pretty much the best. Maybe swap in a set of those projectors?

[S4King]

Yeah, Audi lights are pretty weak sauce. If you are used to S2K, you are used to pretty much the best. Maybe swap in a set of those projectors?

Thats prob the best thing to do. Retro some S2k projectors inside the B6 Housing.

[doobiesdaddy]

Yeah, Audi lights are pretty weak sauce. If you are used to S2K, you are used to pretty much the best. Maybe swap in a set of those projectors?

How do the allroad projectors stack up against the s2k's Stampy?

[Sunny4]

I have been wondering the same thing recently. Driving at night time with no other cars on the road i can see everything but as soon as i have cars coming from the opposite direction my visibility drops considerably. Is this the housing issue or the bulb???

[UGwagen]

i'm wondering is it just my headlights or is the beam pattern and output similar for all b6 s4's. The cutoff is not sharp and the output is not bright at all. It's a big difference coming from a honda s2000. (given that the s2000 do have one of the best xenon systems on the road). has anybody else noticed this?

European HID projectors don't really hold a candle to Japanese projectors in width & uniformity.

I had S2000 projectors on my old MKIV--- so I do know what you're talking about.

If you feel like opening up the housings (see the clear corner mod for instructions), you can try to retrofit "The Retrofit Source FX-R" projectors.

pics from www.theretrofitsource.com
OEM FX on the left. FX-R on the right.


Retro in what looks like a Honda Odessey



High beam pic


P.S. The Retrofit Source is working on a S2000-replica also. I'm waiting for them to come out...

[Hamotee]

Like others have said, it really depends on what other cars you are coming from. Going from a previous non xenon car to the A4 made the Audi xenons look like the best thing since sliced bread. My other car's lights however, put the Audi setup to shame.

[UGwagen]

How do the allroad projectors stack up against the s2k's Stampy?

no where close.

the RS6 got upgraded projectors over the regular A6/Allroad also.

the bixenon version of the allroad, has a larger step (much larger step), but most of the light is focused in the center of the beam. So, width compared to the S2000 is no where close

[ASpec818]

i would be willing to do a retrofit.. i've actually done a set of tsx's onto some bugeye sti lights before.. but i heard the s6 s4 headlights cannot be opened.

[doobiesdaddy]

no where close.

the RS6 got upgraded projectors over the regular A6/Allroad also.

the bixenon version of the allroad, has a larger step (much larger step), but most of the light is focused in the center of the beam. So, width compared to the S2000 is no where close

The allroad and A6 projectors are different. allroad's do not have bi-xenon lights.

[Stampy]

From my experience, the allroad projectors are the best of the C5 bunch. Yes, the facelift cars got the 3" projector that was an upgrade over the older 2.5", but they still suck. Bigger is not better when it comes to projectors. The convex of a 3" lens is going to be less than a 2.5", helping make the beam not as wide. Then take into account that Audi refuses to produce anything that doesn't have a Fresnel lens. And then realize that the reflector bowl that Audi uses is absolute shit as well. I currently am using a set of the 2.5" with clear lens installed. I am working on getting the facelifted 3" lens color modded and clear as can be, and then roll with that. When I am done with the 3", I will be working on a set of allroad projectors I just picked up on eBay. I'll get a thread up in the A6 section soon.

Biggest problems with Audi projectors...straight, not curved cut off shield/Fresnel lens/horrible bowl reflection.

[JPJ2007]

My C6 A6 are ok but I wish they were atleast brighter... I did a retro on my old A4.
55w 6000k 00 A4 projectors in my 98 halogen and the retro was brighter and Maybe better
than my stock setup I have now.

I mean I love that they go left/right and up/down but wish they were brighter.

Is there a diy for swapping the ballast for 55w and is it even possible?

I'm guessing I'd have to re-wire for the extra watts but I'm scared to mess
with the adaptive lights.... Don't wanna break anything.

[S4King]

how this thread go from talking about B6 S4 to C6 A6's?

[JPJ2007]

Hmm, Wrong thread sorry about that.